Debates

Question 1

What is the definition of Nature

Answer 1

Behaviour is caused by innate factors that are inherited or born into us - these cant be changed by experience

Question 2

What is the definition of nurture

Answer 2

Behaviour is caused by our upbringing and what happens to us during our lifetime - we are entirely shaped by external influences

Question 3

What is the definition of free-will

Answer 3

we have complete control over our own behaviour - we are entirely free to decide how we act at any point

Question 4

What is the definition of determinism

Answer 4

Our behaviour is not under our control - it is shaped by factors that we cant change, whether these are internal (e.g. brain structure) or external (e.g. the way other people behave)

Question 5

What is the definition of reductionism

Answer 5

Any behaviour we look at can be explained, if we look hard enough, by one single factor. We should ALWAYS look for the simplest explanation possible

Question 6

What is the definition of holism

Answer 6

In order to truly understand behaviour, we have to look at the person as a whole and try to take into account all the influences acting on them at any one time. it doesn’t make sense to try to simplify our behaviour down to one cause.

Question 7

What is the definition of Individual

Answer 7

Each person is different to everyone else, so we should look at internal reasons for peoples behaviour (e.g. their thought processes and perceptions) rather than outside forces (e.g. the environment, which affects everyone)

Question 8

What is the definition of Situational

Answer 8

No matter who you are, your surroundings shape your behaviour to a certain extent, so we should focus on factors in the environment that cause people to act in certain ways.

Question 9

What are the strengths of the Nature argument

Answer 9

+ Suggests that behaviour cant be as easily manipulated - gives us the opportunity to understand conditions that will affect peoples thoughts/behaviour, e.g. autism, learning difficulties

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of the Nature argument

Answer 10

• Could take blame away from perpetrators of negative behaviour e.g. Criminals - Stephen Mobley, faulty MAOA gene causes aggression
• Makes it more difficult to change behaviour or treat psychological conditions (except through biological treatments)

Question 11

What are the strengths of the Nurture argument

Answer 11

+ Suggests straightforward ways to change negative behaviour (using behaviourist processes, e.g. Super nanny, its me or the dog)

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of the Nurture argument

Answer 12

• Could take blame away from criminals if they have imitated behaviour from their role models/ been rewarded for positive behaviour (death of Jamie Bulger inspired by Chucky child’s play 3)
• Can be used to manipulate peoples behaviour against their will e.g. advertising propaganda

Question 13

What are the strengths of the Reductionist argument

Answer 13

+ Tends to use highly controlled lab studies as it focuses on one specific variable at a time

+ Allows us to focus on one aspect/ cause of behaviour, so we can find a clear cause and effect

Question 14

What are the weaknesses of the Reductionist argument

Answer 14

• Tends to use highly controlled lab studies, as it focuses on one specific variable at a time

Question 15

What are the strengths of the Holism argument

Answer 15

+ May be more realistic way of looking at behaviour, as we are usually responding to a variety of different influences all at the same time

Question 16

What are the weaknesses of the Holism argument

Answer 16

• May be more difficult to test as its impractical - we can never measure every possible influence at once

Question 17

What are the strengths of the Individual argument

Answer 17

+ If we can be sure that behaviours are due to individual factors this may make it more manageable and treatable

Question 18

What are the weaknesses of the Individual argument

Answer 18

• Most individual factors e.g. personality traits, are also influenced by the situation (and it would be reductionist to think they’re not)

Question 19

What are the strengths of the Situational argument

Answer 19

+ If behaviour is mainly influenced by situations, we can create situations in which people will behave in positive ways

Question 20

What are the weaknesses of the Situational argument

Answer 20

• Blaming the situation removes responsibility from people for things they’ve done…even really bad things like murder

Question 21

What are the strengths of the Free-will argument

Answer 21

+ Puts responsibility for behaviour onto the individual - so we can feel pride in positive behaviour but also must take responsibility for negative behaviour

Question 22

What are the weaknesses of the Free-will argument

Answer 22

• Free-will suggests our behaviour isn’t predictable - it’s therefore a less scientific approach. this damages the reputation of psychology

Question 23

What are the strengths of the Determinism argument

Answer 23

+ Emphasis on definite cause and effect makes the world, and people’s behaviour more predictable and therefore manageable

Question 24

What are the weaknesses of the Determinism argument

Answer 24

• Any attempt to make a prediction about behaviour is unlikely to be 100% accurate - human behaviour is too complex to have a single definite cause.

Question 25

What are the 8 Debates in psychology

Answer 25

Nature vs Nurture
Reductionism vs holism
Determinism vs Free-will
Individual vs situational

Psychology is a science
Usefulness
Ethics
Social sensitivity

Question 26

What are the features of science in Psychology is a science

Answer 26

Objectivity   -->Our
Falsification   --->Freezing
Control        -->Classroom's
Replicability   --> Really
Quantitative   --> Quite
Cause and effect  --> Cold

Question 27

What are the strengths of having the aspect of Psychology is a science

Answer 27

+ Improves the reputation of psychology - suggests conclusions are more valid and reliable so can be trusted

+ Finding clear cause and effect in controlled circumstances makes behaviour more predictable and generalizable…and this increases the USEFULNESS of psychological research

Question 28

What are the weaknesses of having the aspect of Psychology is a science

Answer 28

• Lower ecological validity in research (because more control is required)
• Tends to ignore the depth and detail of people’s behaviour and emotions (quantitative data)

Question 29

What are the 4 Aspects to the usefulness of psychology

Answer 29

• Practical applications = Can the information gained by the research be used to improve behaviour or performance? Can it be used to prevent bad behaviour? and most importantly HOW?
• Advanced insight = Not previously known about the topic area
• Awareness = Particular issues at the time?
• Reputation of psychology

Question 30

What are the strengths of Usefulness of Psychology

Answer 30

+ Improves reputation of psychology…so people pay more attention to psychological research

+ Helps us to understand behaviour better and design practical applications e.g. better methods of therapy, ways to change behaviour

Question 31

What are the weaknesses of the Usefulness of Psychology

Answer 31

-R